Many college graduates use their summer breaks to gain work experience by getting internships, part-time or even full-time jobs. But, unfortunately, the nationwide lockdowns due to COVID 19 are forcing businesses of all sizes to work from home. So, to make the most of this summer, college graduates will also have to adapt. Does it mean you should shelf your plans to take up summer jobs? It certainly does not. You can still get valuable work experience without leaving your house.
Thanks to the internet, there are countless home-based job opportunities. The industry was thriving even before COVID 19 hit more than 100 countries, but now it has become the only solution. So, for all those college grads who want to start working, there are still plenty of ways to make some extra money this summer.
Here is a list of 5 best home-based job opportunities for you.
5 Best Jobs for College Grads Entering a Remote Workforce
Freelance Writing
The market for freelance writers is one of the most lucrative ones. With millions of blogs and websites, the need for good writers is quite high. You could get hired as an editor or proofreader, blog writer, or web content creator. So, there are plenty of writing jobs out there, but the question is how to find them.
The internet has hundreds of websites that provide a platform for job hunting. Most of these websites either use a bidding model or pay you for content contributions. Websites like Upwork and freelancers have been doing this for quite some time. If you are good at writing, you can earn anywhere between $5-$200 per post. It all depends on the kind of job you find and how well you negotiate with your employer. Remember, you will also need to have a proper writing sample for applying. Your clients will use your sample to decide whether you get the job or not.
Social Media Manager
Businesses from all over the world have a social media presence. But keeping business pages and accounts up to date requires continuous work and attention. That is why most of the companies hire social media managers. If you are a marketing major and know how social media works, you can find plenty of opportunities online. These jobs can pay you by the hour or offer fixed rates.
Social media jobs, in most cases, are more than just publishing regular posts. If you understand paid social, you may also be given the responsibility to help your clients advertise and reach the right target audience. It is also likely that you will be asked to create content such as ads and posts.
You can search for different job boards such as Craigslist to look for social media manager jobs.
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is another excellent way to earn some extra money during summers. You can set up online classes or even deliver one-on-one tutoring sessions. Online tutoring can help you earn up to $50-$60 per hour. You can either teach the regular curriculum or help students prepare for different tests such as SATS and IELTS, etc.
The main challenge will be to find students for your class. Here are a few simple ways to look for students:
- Advertise on your college social media groups.
- Advertise on your college website, if allowed.
- Ask your friends to spread the word.
- Distribute flyers in your neighborhood.
- Join relevant social media groups and advertise.
- Search online job boards.
There are also many tutoring websites that teach English and other subjects online. You can also apply to online colleges and schools.
Professional Resume Writer
Writing resumes has become a popular service offered by many freelance writers. To get hired for this, you will need to have substantial knowledge of different industries and the kind of resumes they require. For example, a product manager’s resume will contain different kinds of information than a doctor’s resume. The former will focus more on individual qualities and their unique selling points whereas a doctor’s resume will be more about their education, diplomas, and certificates.
Since resumes are written for professionals, so the job can pay you well. But to earn well you will have to deliver more than just a standard template. You will have to learn about different formats and styles. Some resumes may even require you to be more creative and “fun”. For example, a resume for a copywriter needs to sound creative and catchy. So, it will have to offer more than just standard information.
If you think you can handle the research and creativity involved in this job, then you can earn good money writing resumes.
Associate Product Manager
If you want to enter the field of product management, then getting a job as an associate product manager over the summers is a good way to start your career. To get a home-based job, you will have to search job listings by online startups, e-commerce, and small businesses. You will have a better chance of getting this job if your degree or program is related to marketing, product management, advertising, sales, and promotions, etc.
Working as an associate product manager will not only help you gain valuable experience but also earn good money.
To find suitable opportunities, you can look at websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
Many of us believe that working from home means no rules at all. This is not true. Even though these are home-based jobs, you will still need to have a professional outlook. Otherwise, there is a strong chance you will not be considered a serious candidate. To make a good impression, you will need the following:
- A professionally written resume.
- A cover letter.
- An email address for professional use only.
- Recommendations from previous employers or your faculty or institute.
- A proper ID such as Skype or WhatsApp for an online interview.
It is true that home-based jobs have many advantages, but they also need discipline, commitment, and focus.